Blog : Health

Therapy for people in recovery comes in many forms. Music is one of those tools that people use because it has many physical and mental health benefits. Research shows that music can do many things for us including anxiety relief, emotional healing, alter your mood, and other benefits. Society turns to musicians during times of distress and needs guidance while also offering a sense of ease. We do this because musicians write songs inspired by events and emotions that we can identify with. Artists have used substance abuse as a muse to shine a light on a tough subject. Take a look at these 6 songs for people in recovery.

Under the Bridge – The Red Hot Chili Peppers

Under the Bridge was written about the lead singer, Anthony Kiedis, and the loneliness he’s felt since losing a friend from a heroin addiction and being sober from heroin himself. “Sometimes I feel like I don’t have a partner/Sometimes I feel like my only friend.” In the song, Kiedis also talks about how his only friend was the city he lived in, Los Angeles. At this point in time, Kiedis was the only sober member of The Red Hot Chili Peppers and this song reflects that. “I drive on her [Los Angeles’] streets cause she’s my companion/I walk through her [Los Angeles’] hills cause she knows who I am.” Kiedis sings about how he never wants to feel how he did when he was in the depths of his addiction but he wants to get away to a place he loves. This powerful message of staying strong even though you may be the only one is perfect for those who are struggling to remain sober.

Say It Ain’t So – Weezer

Just like Under the Bridge, Weezer’s frontman Rivers Cuomo wrote this song about how his family was torn apart by alcoholism. Cuomo’s father struggled with alcoholism and ended up leaving his family of four behind when Cuomo was only four. This is shown in the first verse of the song, “Somebody’s cold one/Is giving me chills/Guess I’ll just close my eyes” and also further down in the chorus, “Say it ain’t so/Your drug is a heartbreaker.” In the song, Cuomo writes a letter to his father about how even now that he is in recovery, his addiction has still taken a toll on their lives. This song shows how addiction does not only affect that addict, it affects the entire family.

Breaking the Habit – Linkin Park

Breaking the Habit is a narrative about someone who continuously hurts themselves, physically and mentally, and no one seems to notice. The lines “You all assume/I’m safe here in my room/Unless I try to start again” can be taken as someone who is battling with substance abuse and no one is reaching out to help them. Sadly, in the song, the narrator seems to have fallen victim to their addiction as seen in the lines, “I know it’s not alright” and “Clutching my cure/I tightly lock the door/I try to catch my breath again/I hurt much more/Than any time before/I had no options left again.” The narrator may not have been able to beat their addiction; however, it’s still a powerful song to help others keep fighting in their recovery.

You Know You’re Right – Nirvana

You Know You’re Right was the last song Nirvana recorded together before Kurt Cobain’s death. This song was dedicated to his mental illness and how it affected his marriage with Courtney Love. The first few lines “I will never bother you/I will never promise to/I will never follow you/I will never bother you” is highlighting how his depression makes him feel. He does not feel like he belongs anywhere, and he does not want to be a burden to others. His answer to feeling like a burden is explained a few lines down, “Always knew it’d come to this/Things have never been so swell/I have never failed to fail.” The meaning for these lines can be taken into interpretation. Some people feel like Cobain was talking about suicide as his answer; however, it can also mean that the narrator turns to drug abuse. This song is able to connect with people who have struggled with substance abuse or mental health issues because they know what it’s like to feel like a burden and/or feel unwanted.

The Co-Dependent – Sia

Sia paints a narrative that about an alcoholic who is co-dependent; however, the narrative is from the significant other’s point of view. In the story, the narrator describes how much that they are there for the other person. “So many years I’ve carried you in my arms/Yet I stay, yet I stay, yet I stay/ And still I come a-running when I hear the telephone, telephone, telephone/And I ask for absolutely nothing in return, in return, in return.” No matter what they’ve done, the narrator has always stayed by their side. The narrator says that they love the other person no matter what. “My love for you allows me not to judge the way you live.” Even though there is a strong love connection between the two, the narrator hints that they may not be a support system much longer. “You’ll find me by your side/If you find me at all.” This is a narrative that is sung by many families and loved ones of addicts. They want to be there for their family member in need and they are, but constantly struggle on when to let go.

Fallen – Sarah McLachlan

Fallen is a song about someone who has realized their mistakes in life and realized how their mistakes have hurt themselves and others. Even though McLachlan never specified that the mistakes were drugs or alcohol, the tie to those in the song is very strong. The lines “I got caught up in all there was to offer/And the cost was so much more than I could bear” show that the mistakes could be substance abuse. The narrator also talks about they have understood their negative ways and now they are trying to stay sober, “Though I’ve tried I’ve fallen/I have sunk so low/I messed up/Better I should know.” As the narrator stays sober, they are asking for hope and redemption, not shame. “Don’t come ’round here and/Tell me I told you so.” This is a scenario people in recovery see all the time. They go to the people they hurt, ask for forgiveness, and try to earn their trust back after all the mistakes they’ve made.

Due to the influx of illicit drug use in recent years, specifically opioids, teen substance abuse is a terrifying thought for parents across the country. Just like adults, teens can be exposed to drugs and alcohol on a near daily occurrence. As parents, it is our responsibility to help prepare them for possible situations that may come up – even if the situations include drugs and alcohol. Following these key points will allow you to help prepare your teen for real-world experiences.

1. Do Your Research

Before you talk to your teen about substance abuse and prevention, do some research. We are not made to have every single answer in the book. There are plenty of resources out there for parents to educate themselves on the matter. As a general resource for substance abuse and prevention, SAMHSA is a fantastic resource with answers to many questions you may have and many statistics for every state to keep you educated. The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids has plenty of resources for families who want to learn more about teen substance abuse as well as prevention. Also, the National Institute of Drug Abuse has resources and statistics about everything from addiction science to substance abuse in the LGBT community.

2. Set a Good Example

This point may seem like a no-brainer for people but it is the key to making sure the conversation sticks. If your teen sees you or other adults around them abuse substances, they may see your conversation as hypocritical. We are not perfect, but striving to be the ideal model you want your children to be will help them choose between using and not.

3. Create an Open Dialog

When you start talking to your teenager about substance abuse, make sure to create an environment where an open conversation can happen. Having more of a “guiding” tone will help keep the conversation open. If the conversation ends up becoming more of a lecture, your teen will most likely tune you out and not listen to what you have to say. This may seem difficult at first, but doing so will set the path for future dialog. Once the initial conversation is over, sprinkle the topic in general conversation. Doing this will make the topic less awkward for you both and will also allow your child to open up to you more.

4. Create Teachable Moments

From our families and communities to celebrities, teachable moments on substance abuse are all around us – use them to your advantage. Teach them that not “everyone is doing it,” make sure that they know about local incidents that involve drugs or alcohol, and most importantly, make sure you express your opinion on the matter. These teachable moments will also help make the topic easier to talk about.

Using these points and implementing them will help make the conversation with your teen seem less daunting. Talking to your teen about substance abuse should not be a scary and/or an intimidating scenario. Being a teen is an amazing time in your child’s life that is full of learning and creating new life experiences. Studies have shown that kids whose parents discuss the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse with them are 50% less likely to use. Building an open line of communication and continue talking with your child about substance abuse prevention can help prevent them from using illegal drugs.

This month is crowned National Recovery Month; which means during the entire month of September, families, recovering addicts, and treatment/recovery professionals celebrate in many ways to raise awareness for rehabilitation. National Recovery Month is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). National Recovery Month was brought to light because addicts throughout the country are not receiving the treatment they need or not receiving treatment at all.

In 2016, 21.7 million people (ages 12 and up) in the United States needed treatment for substance abuse; however, only 10.8% of them received the proper treatment they needed. Due to addicts not receiving proper, or any, treatment, overdose rates are at an all-time high. This past year alone, 47,055 people died due to drug overdose. With opioid use rising, that number is only getting worse. Since 2000, opioid use has nearly quadrupled. Out of the 47,055 overdose death that occurred last year, 28,647 of those deaths were due to opioids – nearly 60%.

National Recovery Month awareness is happening across the country. Heartland Recovery Center holds weekly support group meetings. At the end of the month, September 27th, Heartland will be hosting a workshop for families and loved ones called What Can I Say to Convince Them to Quit?. This workshop is held monthly and its intent to help families and loved ones of addicts as well as get them the resources they need. As well as the workshop, our founder, David Lee, will be speaking at the annual IN ARMS: Indiana Annual Recovery Month Symposium in Indianapolis on September 12th & 13th. His topic of discussion is why people struggle with traditional treatment approaches.

To discover more about National Recovery Month and more about what events are occurring this month near you, please visit their official site.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations is a not-for-profit organization whose goal is to is to certify healthcare organizations/programs and has accredited nearly 21,000 programs/organizations throughout the United States. The Joint Commission has created a high level of standards in which all facilities, that voluntarily undergo a thorough evaluation, must meet and keep in order to stay accredited. This gold-standard in healthcare means that said facility has created and maintained the best care possible, in every aspect, for their clients.

“Receiving this prestigious accreditation by The Joint Commission only confirms that we are following the mission and vision created for our clients and their families. ” stated Heartland Recovery Center’s Program Director, Emily Kirk-Back, “We pride ourselves in knowing that The Joint Commission recognizes that we are in fact providing the highest level of performance and services to our clients. The Heartland Recovery Center team is truly doing individualized care and every person entering our facility for treatment is guided to discover an authentic path to developing their own recovery.”

Becoming approved by The Joint Commission allows Heartland Recovery Center to stay up-to-date with the latest discoveries in behavioral health; which ensures clients and their loved ones that the help they receive is truly the best care possible.

Heartland Recovery Center specializes in new to recovery, high risk, chronic relapse, and failure to launch clients. Each client receives a unique treatment path that is tailored specifically to them. Call today for more information and/or to arrange an assessment, 219-690-7025.

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PLEASE REGISTER FOR THE AM 8-11 PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR OR THE PM 6-9 PARENT COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Community Collaborators Who Care and Overdose Lifeline present a special Naloxone Training and informational workshop to professionals, first responders and colleagues in the field! In addition, we are offering an evening session for parents and community members. Please see the schedule below:

Limited supplies of Naloxone are available for the 6:00 PM Parent/Community Event. The first 50 to register for the 6:00 PM event will receive a FREE Naloxone Kit.

Overdose Lifeline provides Naloxone Kits for First Responder Departments through a grant from the Indiana Attorney General’s Office. If you are a first responder, please register for the 8:00 AM event and check the box “I am a first responder and want information on naloxone for my department” at registration.

Naloxone training and kits are provided by Overdose Lifeline Inc. is an Indiana non-profit organization focused on harm reduction, prevention, education and support for the community, the individual, and family impacted by the opioid epidemic and the disease of addiction/substance use disorder. www.overdose-lifeline.org

To register for this event, contact Heartland Recovery Center by phone at 219-690-7025 or by completing our web form.

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Heartland Recovery Center demonstrates their continued dedication in providing excellence in addiction treatment by announcing their new evening Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) & Outpatient (OP) services. Evening services begin immediately with no wait list and include free consultations being scheduled early January.

IOP sessions will include three hours of evening group and individual therapy, three days a week, for a period of five weeks and is a more intensive level of outpatient care. Heartland’s OP services will require clients to attend two evening sessions a week at three hour increments.

The new IOP meets a significant need for individuals, employers and families in the community. The Intensive Outpatient Program gives clients the opportunity to continue living at home and work in the community while attending treatment.

“Clients can begin implementing the recovery and life skills developed throughout the program and can process their experience in a safe and supportive environment,” explained Heartland’s Medical Director, Dr. Belinda Hubert. “By doing this, they begin to establish a foundation for an authentic path towards recovery in a real time, real world setting.”

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Welcome to the Heartland Recovery Experience We are a unique blend of qualified professionals who have come together to answer one primary question. Can we provide an environment where the most difficult of clients can embrace an authentic connection to a recovery path that is unique to them?